Starting changes, Japan coach Hoichi Mori is confident or conservative?

The reporter reported coldly Japan were held to a draw at home by Australia and failed to extend their last-18 winning streak to a fourth. It was the first time since the warm-up match against Uruguay in October 2018 that the Japan match was sold out, but the 58,730 live spectators saw only two own goals and a draw.

Moriyasu failed to equalle Ziko's (2003-2004) Japan record of seven consecutive games without losing a team, and the content of the game disappointed Japan fans and the media. After the game, the Japanese media also pointed out the problem of Moriyasu's formation, and believed that only relying on an own goal was a timely warning for the Japan team. Media outlets such as "Nikkan Sports" and "Sports Newspaper News" have suggested that Mori Hoichi's squad for November should make more adjustments.

Although Australia had only one shot on goal and zero shots on target, and even no corners in the game, they still took one point from Saitama Stadium. Japan have scored in 25 consecutive games since the 2022 World Cup against Spain, breaking the team's all-time record of 24 consecutive goals between 2015 and 2017, but Japan media and fans still believe that the team's attacking potential has not been fully explored.

The campaign exposed Japan's problems in physical confrontation, attacking hierarchy and air supremacy, with only 3 successful 20 crosses, only 2 shots on goal after 11 dribbling breakthroughs, 2 successful 11 corners and only 4 successful 20 aerial duels in the Australia half. Kaoru Mikasa, Junya Ito and Kenei Kubo took turns to cross, but none were able to break through the Australia defence. The experience of Australia's back five defensive system may provide valuable experience for the national football team's home game against Japan in November.

Japan will play away to Indonesia and the national football team in November, and if they can win back-to-back games, they can not only maintain or even extend their current five-point lead, but also may qualify four rounds early. The 18.5% rating for the match against Australia, the exclusive broadcast rights of DAZN, announced that it would broadcast the two matches for free in order to encourage Japan fans to support the Japan team, which is undoubtedly good news for Japan fans.

Against Australia in the second half, the Japan team was obviously physically exhausted, and Moriyasu insisted that the starting lineup was basically fixed, which was criticized by the outside world, believing that the overly stable starting lineup was easy for the opponent to defend against each other. ESPN also criticized Moriyasu for being overconfident in Japan's pass-and-control soccer ball and lacking a more efficient B plan.

For Australia, Mori Hoichi lined up the starting line-up of all European players and said that he would try to keep the starting line-up as stable as possible in November, because the experience of the main players takes precedence over scouting new players. Japan media Football Channel hopes that Mori will increase the scope of scouting new talents, and believes that substitute goalkeeper Akio Tani, full-backs Yuki Sugawara, Umi Mochizuki, central defender Ayumu Seko, midfielder Renru Fujita and striker Yuki Ohashi are the most likely to be replaced. Mori still has to look at more players and look for possibilities to improve offensive efficiency.

The question facing Moriyasu is: If Indonesia also adopts Australia's defensive tactics, how can the well-studied Japan starting lineup break through the opponent's door? After all, the naturalized defense of the Indonesian team is no worse than the defense of Australia in terms of height and aerial confrontation. Of course, the national football team will also learn the lessons of the first game against Japan and Australia's successful experience of forcing Japan to draw.